CCW in Texas

This is a discussion on CCW in Texas within the Concealed Carry Issues & Discussions forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I'm in the process of getting my CCW permit but the website doesn't really explain much of what's supposed to happen after I give them ...

CCW in Texas

I'm in the process of getting my CCW permit but the website doesn't really explain much of what's supposed to happen after I give them the money. I know I have to get fingerprinted and I know I have to take a handgun safety course but I don't know what the time frame is on all of this and if there's anything else I need to know about or what I should expect. Also, how long does the whole process take from start (paying the fee) to finish (getting the CCW permit in the mail)?

There are folks that are receiving their permits in 30-45 days after submitting all of the paperwork to the state. Depending on who you take your class from, many offer one-stop services... the class, photo, and fingerprints all at one time.

Once I had it I found a CHL class that did it all, class and teaching, photos, fingerprints...the whole nine yards. I think it was about 80 bucks or so. Since i got mine two years ago it was about a 5 months wait but its apparently much shorter now.

Good luck! Theres bound to be someone in your area that gives the class.

Find an instructor who will help you handle everything from providing the paper work, to helping you fill it out, to taking the class and taking the range test.
Some will help you get the fingerprints and photos as well.

It is best to do it all in one, if only to save you time and effort.

If you need practice prior to the range test, go to a rental range and if lucky you can also find your instructor and all you need to get your class time and tests done right there.

Fingerprints are a bit of an issue as the ink-rolled finger kind sometimes get returned by DPS as unusable. There are places where you can get your fingerprints done electronically. Where I live the local police will do it for a nominal charge.

There are time limits on how long DPS can take to process, but they have gotten back logged and there have plenty of complaints that things go over-time.

When I renewed my license a year ago (Dec. 2008), it took till almost April for the renewal to get accomplished-- all of the hold time being at DPS.

Figure ONE long day, start to finish to accomplish range test, fingerprints, photos, fill out of the paperwork, classroom time (10 hrs minimum), written test.

It is a bit of a pain, but just like driver's ed., and defensive driving, you learn something each time. The law changes every time the legislature meets, so the periodic classroom time isn't a complete waste.

Well i took my class about a month ago here in El Paso. They did the photo, assisted with filling out all the proper paperwork based on our status (Active military, civi, etc..), took $100.00 as their fee, took a test, range qual waived (military), gave us info regarding electronic prints (had to set up an appt to get them done and paid another $10.00). Submitted all paperwork, and received a damn letter about 2 weeks later stating: i did not provide anough previous address info (as i was filling it out i was 6 days shy of 5yrs and my instructor said that was fine... well it was not). So all i can say to you is ensure that the paperwork you fill out is VERY complete, and VERY legible.

Took my CHL class in mid-June last year, took 18 weeks to get my permit. I have heard the backlog has been whittled down some. I do recommend getting the digital fingerprints. After 2 sets of prints were not good enough, I paid the $9 for the digital ones. There lots of instructors, some good and some bad like anything else in life. Enjoy and good luck. In my CHL class we had 2 ladies in their 70's, neither had ever touched a firearm, both passed.

Last edited by drjavelina; March 15th, 2010 at 11:40 AM.
Reason: forgot something

I'm in the process of getting my CCW permit but the website doesn't really explain much of what's supposed to happen after I give them the money. I know I have to get fingerprinted and I know I have to take a handgun safety course but I don't know what the time frame is on all of this and if there's anything else I need to know about or what I should expect. Also, how long does the whole process take from start (paying the fee) to finish (getting the CCW permit in the mail)?

Thanks for your help!

I just did a Google search on "CHL class san angelo". First & most promising hit is:

I know nothing about them as I'm in N. TX. Good luck, do more searching if necessary. The "full service" plan is definitely the way to go as these folks offer. When my class was over, I walked away with a packet that only needed a money order inserted, sealed, stamped & dropped in the mailbox.

A year ago, mine took 4 months mailbox to mailbox. Recent feedback appears to now be 30-45 days. Good luck & stay safe.

Find a good instructor and let him take care of all the details--they do this regularly. Tyler and surrounding area has a great instructor in David Frick Go to Rosecityflyingclays.com and link to handgun classes for a schedule. He teaches mainly during the week at the range. He does the fingerprints, photos, range shooting and makes sure paperwork is correct for $75. Texas is on the ball and the DPS is issuing licenses in about 30 days. My SIL took his class on Dec 10 and had CHL on Jan 11. Not a bad turn a round.

I used to live north of San Angelo and have lots of friends there__bound to be some good instructors.